Comparison of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to gas chromatography (GC)--measurement of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in selected US fish extracts

A Novel Label-Free Electrochemical Immunosensor Based on a Self-Assembled Monolayer-Modified Electrode for Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) in Environmental Analysis

PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) are a very large group of organic compounds that have between two and ten chlorine atoms attached to the biphenyl. These compounds have an acute impact as environmental pollutants, causing cancer and other adverse health effects in humans. It is therefore imperative to develop techniques for the cost-effective detection of PCBs at very low concentrations in ecosystems. In this paper, a novel label-free, indirect, competitive electrochemical immunosensor was first developed with a PCB-BSA conjugate. It is shown herein to compete with free PCBs for binding to the anti-PCB polyclonal primary antibody (IgY). Then, we used a secondary antibody to enhance the sensitivity of the sensor for the detection of PCB in a sample. It has been successfully immobilized on an 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (11-MUA)-modified gold electrode via a carbodiimide-coupling reaction using cross-linking 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) on the electrode surface. The immunosensor was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry in a standard solution of [Fe(CN)6]3−/4−. A linear range of 0.011–220 ng/mL−1 and a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.11 ng/mL−1 for PCBs detection were achieved by the developed immunosensor, showing advantages over conventional assays. The novel label-free electrochemical immunosensor discussed in this paper is a solution for simple, rapid, cost-effective sample screening in a portable, disposable format. The proposed immunosensor has good sensitivity, and it can prove to be an adequate real-time monitoring solution for PCBs in soil samples or other samples.

Immunoanalysis methods for the detection of dioxins and related chemicals

With the development of biotechnology, approaches based on antibodies, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), active aryl hydrocarbon immunoassay (Ah-I) and other multi-analyte immunoassays, have been utilized as alternatives to the conventional techniques based on gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy for the analysis of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds in environmental and biological samples. These screening methods have been verified as rapid, simple and cost-effective. This paper provides an overview on the development and application of antibody-based approaches, such as ELISA, Ah-I, and multi-analyte immunoassays, covering the sample extraction and cleanup, antigen design, antibody preparation and immunoanalysis. However, in order to meet the requirements for on-site fast detection and relative quantification of dioxins in the environment, further optimization is needed to make these immuno-analytical methods more sensitive and easy to use.

Feathers as bioindicators of PCB exposure in clapper rails

In this study we used feathers to biomonitor exposure to the polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) Aroclor 1268 congener mixture in clapper rails (Rallus longirostris). This species has been used as an indicator species of environmental damage for the LCP superfund site located in Brunswick, GA, USA which is contaminated with Aroclor 1268, a congener mixture that has been used in limited amounts elsewhere and therefore can be used as a contaminant marker. The Aroclor 1268 congener mixture, including congener profiles, were quantified in feathers using gas chromatography (GC). Concurrently, each sample was quantified for the total Aroclor 1268 congener mixture using an enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) and compared to the GC results to determine if ELISA was an efficient method for quantifying or qualifying PCBs in feathers. ELISA consistently quantified PCB loads over an order of magnitude lower than the GC. Based on sample replication, extraction recovery, and sample spike, it appears that GC is the more reliable method of detection and that ELISA methods may be more suitable for qualitative exposure assessment for this particular Aroclor. Moreover, since all clapper rails from the LCP site had the Aroclor 1268 congener mixture in their feathers, this experiment showed that birds were returning to the site to breed despite the adverse effects experienced by this population from the contamination revealed in previous studies. This study also supports the utility of feathers as a non-lethal mechanism by which to biomonitor PCBs in the environment.

Development of an immunoassay and a sol-gel-based immunoaffinity cleanup method for coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls from soil and sediment samples

Two polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were developed using goat PCB purified immunoglobulin (IgG) antibodies (Abs). The IgGs exhibited the highest affinity toward PCB-77 (24 ng mL(-1)) with sensitivities in the range of 6-11 ng mL(-1). The Abs cross-reacted with PCB-126 and the heptachlorodibenzofuran 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDF but not with PCB-169, PCB-118, Aroclor 1232, 1248, 1260 or the hexachlorodibenzofuran 2,3,4,6,7,8-HxCDF. The IgGs were also used to develop a sol-gel-based immunoaffinity purification (IAP) method for cleanup of PCB-126. Recovery efficiencies depended on the sol-gel formats; a 1:12 format resulted in the highest binding capacity. Net binding capacity ranged from 112 to 257 ng, and 90% of the analyte could be eluted with only 2 mL of ethanol. The method was also very efficient in purifying PCB-126 from spiked soil and sediment samples from contaminated sites; and eliminating matrix interferences to a degree that enabled analysis of the purified samples by ELISA. The approaches developed in the course of the study form a basis for the development of additional IAP methods for other PCBs, and their implementation in high-throughput screening programs for PCB in food, soil, and other environmental and biological samples.

The H4IIE Cell Bioassay as an Indicator of Dioxin-like Chemicals in Wildlife and the Environment

The H4IIE cell bioassay has proven utility as a screening tool for planar halogenated hydrocarbons (PHHs) and structurally similar chemicals accumulated in organisms from the wild. This bioassay has additional applications in hazard assessment of PHH exposed populations. In this review, the toxicological principles, current protocols, performance criteria, and field applications for the assay are described. The H4IIE cell bioassay has several advantages over the analytical measurement of PHHs in environmental samples, but conclusions from studies can be strengthened when both bioassay and analytical chemistry data are presented together. Often, the bioassay results concur with biological effects in organisms and support direct measures of PHHs. For biomonitoring purposes and prioritization of PHH-contaminated environments, the H4IIE bioassay may be faster and less expensive than analytical measurements. The H4IIE cell bioassay can be used in combination with other biomarkers such as in vivo measurements of CYP1A1 induction to help pinpoint the sources and identities of dioxin-like chemicals. The number of studies that measure H4IIE-derived TCDD-EQs continues to increase, resulting in subtle improvements over time. Further experiments are required to determine if TCDD-EQs derived from mammalian cells are adequate predictors of toxicity to non-mammalian species. The H4IIE cell bioassay has been used in over 300 published studies, and its combination of speed, simplicity, and ability to integrate the effects of complex contaminant mixtures makes it a valuable addition to hazard assessment and biomonitoring studies.

A sensitive and reliable quantification method for Bisphenol A based on modified competitive ELISA method

Bisphenol A (BPA), generally known as bisphenols, has been identified as a potential estrogenic substance. BPA must be conjugated to carrier protein and BSA was commonly used. 4,4-Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) valeric acid (BHPVA) has a bisphenolic structure and a long carbon chain with a reactive carboxyl group on the end. In this study, BHPVA-BSA was used to produce polyclonal antibody against bisphenolic structure, and a modified competitive ELISA method for quantification of BPA was developed. This system was based on BHPVA-BSA for polyclonal antibody production against bisphenolic structure, and BHPVA-HRP for determination of BPA substituting detection antibody in competitive reaction. Recovery was assessed at 10 different concentrations (2-1000 ng/ml) of BHPVA, and the recovery range was from 96.3% to 107.2%. The variation was from 6.2% to 9.8% for intra assay and from 10.1% to 12.6% for inter assay. The quadratic was used to establish the curve regression. The range was found to be between 2 and 1000 ng/ml. This modified competitive ELISA method has proven to be a very useful tool for quantification of BPA without the unexpected interaction of BSA and anti-BSA polyclonal antibody.

Simple immunoassay for detection of PCBs in transformer oil

A rapid and inexpensive procedure to detect polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in transformer oil is needed to facilitate identification and removal of PCB contaminated transformers. Here we describe a simple two-step liquid-liquid extraction using acidic dimethyl sulfoxide in conjunction with an immunoassay for detecting PCBs in transformer oil. The process described is faster and simpler than any previous immunoassay while maintaining comparable detection limit and false negative rate. Cross reactivity data, characterizing the immunoassay response to the four Kanechlor technical mixtures of PCBs in oil, are presented. Forty-five used transformer oil samples were analyzed by gas chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry and were also evaluated using the immunoassay protocol developed. Results presented show zero false negatives at a 1.4 ppm nominal cutoff for the transformer oils analyzed.

Use of excess solid-phase capacity in immunoassays: advantages for semicontinuous, near-real-time measurements and for analysis of matrix effects

A flow-based immunoassay system using solid-phase particles with high binding capacity was used for semicontinuous, near-real-time, measurement of 17beta-estradiol (E2). The high binding capacity of the solid phase was exploited to enable (i) a quantitative determination of E2 concentration, based on rate of accumulation of fluorescently labeled anti-E2 antibody on the solid phase, and (ii) the use of a single solid phase for more than a dozen competitive binding measurements. The high binding capacity of the solid phase also permitted the immobilization of a second capture antigen. Biotin was immobilized as a second antigen and used to evaluate a biotin anti-biotin system as a control for matrix effects in the E2 immunoassay. In phosphate-buffered saline, E2 could be quantified (in the range of 10-1000 pM) by using either the summation or ratio of the signals from the labeled anti-E2 and anti-biotin antibody in the presence of biotin at a constant concentration. The same referencing system was applied to estimate the matrix effects in selected environmental samples. Matrix effects that inhibited the binding of the anti-E2 antibody to the solid phase led to false positive responses, but these matrix effects could be identified and partially corrected using the response from the anti-biotin antibody.

Measurement of polychlorinated biphenyls in fish tissue by gas chromatography with electron capture detection and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

Polychlorinated biphenyls in fish tissue were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC/ECD) methods. Fish samples were collected in 2000 and 2001 during an Indiana fish survey. For samples with concentrations ranging from 0.05 to 0.5 ppm (n = 40) and 0.5 to 5.0 ppm (n = 12), the ELISA results were not significantly different from GC/ECD (P < 0.05). This research has demonstrated the effectiveness of analysis of fish samples by ELISA in the development of fish consumption advisories that accurately articulate health risks from the consumption of contaminated fish.

Prediction of PCB content in sportfish using semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs)

Triolein-filled semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) were immersed at three locations along the St. Joseph River in northern Indiana for 30 days to see if the PCB content of fish from the same location could be predicted with this model device. Triolein from the SPMD's was analyzed for PCB using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and compared to residues detected in fish collected from the same locations. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in total PCB concentrations between SPMD samples. However, due to variability in PCB residues between species and low PCB residues in SPMDs, a direct correlation between PCBs in sportfish and SPMDs could not be determined.

Rapid assessment of marine pollution using multiple biomarkers and chemical immunoassays

To fully assess the impact of pollutant releases into the environment, it is necessary to determine both the concentration of chemicals accumulating in biota and the biological effects they give rise to. Owing to time, expertise, and cost constraints, this is, however, rarely achieved. Here, quick, simple to perform, and inexpensive biomarkers and chemical immunoassays were combined in a rapid assessment approach to measure exposure to and effects of organic and metal pollutants on the ribbed mussel (Geukensia demmissa) from New Bedford Harbor, MA. Significant differences in polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) tissue residue concentrations were detected among sites using RaPID immunoassay. Selected analyses were verified using GC/MS. No significant differences were observed in metal concentrations (Cu, Cd, Pb, As, Hg, Ni) throughout the area. While causality cannot be attributed, multivariate canonical correlation analysis indicated that PCB and PAH concentrations were strongly associated with the induction of biomarkers of genotoxicity (micronucleus formation), immunotoxicity (spontaneous cytotoxicity), and physiological impairment (heart rate). It is concluded thatthe incorporation of chemical immunoassays with biological monitoring tools into routine management procedures is clearly viable and valuable as a means of identifying toxic impacts of pollutants on biota in situ.

Cytochrome P450 1A expression in midwater fishes: potential effects of chemical contaminants in remote oceanic zones

Cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) induction is a robust marker for exposure to polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons and planar halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons that are aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonists. We examined CYP1A expression in mesopelagic fishes from the western North Atlantic. Individuals in 22 species were obtained from slope water and the Sargasso Sea in 1977, 1978, and 1993. Aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH), a CYP1A activity, was detected in liver from all species in 1977/78. In some, including Gonostoma elongatum, AHH was inhibited by the CYP1A inhibitor alpha-naphthoflavone. CYP1A-dependent ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) was detected in liver microsomes of all species in 1993; rates were highest in G. elongatum and Argyropelecus aculeatus. Immunoblot analysis with the CYP1A-specific monoclonal antibody 1-12-3 detected a single microsomal protein band in most 1993 samples; the highest content was in G. elongatum. Immunohistochemical analysis showed CYP1A staining in gill, heart, kidney, and/or liver of several species. Extracts of the 1993 G. elongatum and A. aculeatus, when applied to fish hepatoma cells (PLHC-1) in culture, elicited a significant induction of EROD in those cells. The capacity of the extracts to induce CYP1A correlated with the content of PCBs measured in the same fish (2-4.6 ng/g total body weight). Mesopelagic fish in the western North Atlantic, which experience no direct exposure to surface waters or sediments, are exposed chronically to inducers of CYP1A at levels that appear to be biochemically active in those fish.